Basketball Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA champion John Havlicek has died at age 79 and his former teammates and also rivals paid tribute, Russell Westbrook won’t take critics for series loss, while Steve Kerr wasn’t impressed with Pat Beverley.
John Havlicek, Celtics legend and eight-time NBA champ, dies at 79 | CNN
Boston Celtics announced that their legend and eight-time NBA champion John Havlicek passed away at age 79 after battling Parkinson disease for years.
“John Havlicek is one of the most accomplished players in Boston Celtics history, and the face of many of the franchise’s signature moments,” the team said on its website. “His defining traits as a player were his relentless hustle and wholehearted commitment to the team over self. … John was kind and considerate, humble and gracious. He was a champion in every sense, and as we join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss, we are thankful for all the joy and inspiration he brought to us.”
We share a building and we share in this loss.
The Bruins send their deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts to the entire @celtics family on the passing of Boston legend John Havlicek. pic.twitter.com/9tYh4XGUTA
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 26, 2019
NBA Legends Mourn the Death of John Havlicek | Sports Illustrated
Boston Celtics legend and Hall of Famer John Havlicek passed away and even though he was sick and the death was not a big surprise, the NBA stars, legends, and journalists reacted to his passing.
The biggest story in the NBA tonight is no longer a playoff game, it's the death of John Havlicek… One of the 20 best players in NBA History & without question the best 6th man ever…. #RIP
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) April 26, 2019
Westbrook rejects critics after series loss | ESPN
Oklahoma City Thunder disappointed in the playoffs again and lost the series with Portland Trailer Blazers in five games but Russell Westbrook shrugged off the criticism as he didn’t want to accept his fault for elimination.
“If you want to determine my career and what I’ve done over two, three games, you go ahead,” Westbrook said during his end-of-season exit interview with the media. “That don’t mean s— to me. It doesn’t. I’m going to wake up, like I told you before, three beautiful kids, I’m going to wake up and smile, be happy, enjoy my life. Doesn’t change anything about — talk about if I’m playing bad or who’s better, who’s not. I know who I am as a person, and that’s the biggest thing I can say about myself. I know who I am. I know what I’m able to do. I know my capabilities. I know what I’ve done. I know what I can and can’t do. So I’m OK with that. I’m OK with who I am. I’ll just be blessed to wake up every day and enjoy my life. The talk about — I don’t even know what talk you’re talking about, but whatever that is, you guys can keep talking about it, and I’m going to keep living my life.”
"Russell Westbrook is a Charles Barkley." — @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/gBYjEQdKY6
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 26, 2019
Kerr: Worried flops will give Beverley whiplash | ESPN
Golden State Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr was far from being impressed with Patrick Beverley’s antics that caused Draymond Green’s technical in Game 5 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers. Beverley obviously fooled the referees with his reaction.
“I didn’t think it was a good call,” Kerr said. “You know Beverley’s going to flop, and Draymond turned. It looked like Tyson punched him in the face.”
Steve Kerr on Patrick Beverley flopping: “His head literally snaps back. I worry he’s gonna get whiplash on some of these flops.” pic.twitter.com/cDKESR0YT6
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 26, 2019
Bucks’ Brogdon out of first 2 games vs. Celtics | USA Today NBA
Milwaukee Bucks will be without their guard Malcolm Brogdon in the opening two games of Round 2 series with Boston Celtics as he continues to recover from a partially torn plantar fascia in his right foot. He won’t be re-evaluated before Game 3 and he could be missed early in the series. Brogdon averaged 15.6 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game in this season.
Malcolm Brogdon could still return to the Bucks sometime during the second round, but he's been ruled out for at least Games 1 and 2 against the Celtics #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/yVlXsp5QLp
— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) April 26, 2019
